Joy Ella Youngblood Trowell

Joy Ella Youngblood Trowell passed away peacefully in Ridgeland, South Carolina, on September 7, 2025, at Ridgeland Nursing Center. She was 82.

Joy was born on March 30, 1943, in Asheville, North Carolina, to the late John Otis Youngblood and Margaret Ella Beale Fletcher Youngblood. She worked as a high school teacher in North Carolina and then South Carolina, finishing her long career at Battery Creek High School in Beaufort, where she lived for most of her life. She taught French, German, and English and was quick to tell everyone what a delight it was to be a teacher. From day one, she loved it. Joy was a talented storyteller, as well. She wrote short stories, poetry, and a fictionalized memoir. Joy was especially passionate about her horses and dogs, competing in many horseback riding competitions. Her wit, humor, and moral strength were a source of support and inspiration to her family and her many friends throughout all the years of her high-spirited life. She will be missed.

The picture was taken in her apartment at Indigo Pines in Hilton Head while posing for her daughter Dawn with a scarf her sister gave her. Orange was Joy’s favorite color.

Joy is survived by her daughters, Dawn Trowell Jones of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jill Amanda Trowell of Ridgeland. She is also survived by her two loving sisters, Daisy Youngblood and Patricia Youngblood. Her brother, David Youngblood, has already passed.

Sauls Funeral Home of Ridgeland is assisting the family with arrangements.

Donations to an animal rescue organization or a wildlife preservation society or a local no-kill animal shelter would be a beautiful way to honor Joy’s memory.

Hilton Head Humane: https://hhhumane.org/

Palmetto Animal League: https://palmettoanimalleague.org/

Jasper Animal Rescue Mission: https://jarmission.org/

Keeper of the Wild: https://keeperofthewild.org/